Real Estate Developer, 47-Year WTTW-WFMT Trustee Daniel Levin, Dies at Age 94

By WFMT |

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Daniel Levin at a WTTW-WFMT event

Daniel Levin, a prominent real estate developer, civic leader, and longtime supporter of WFMT and sister station WTTW, died on January 11, 2025 at the age of 94. Levin was one of the longest-serving trustees in the history of the organization, serving on the Board of Trustees for more than 47 years and as chair of the WFMT Radio Committee.

Levin’s passion for classical music began in childhood. In a 2020 interview with WTTW producer Dan Andries as part of the WTTW-WFMT Oral History Project, Levin recalled, “My father liked to listen to the classical music, and it was soothing for him. He worked hard, so he would put music on, and I just enjoyed it.”

Fay Levin and Daniel Levin at a WTTW-WFMT event with Sesame Street walkaround character Elmo

This spark continued during his time at the University of Chicago, when as a student Levin began listening to the newly-founded Chicago classical music radio station WFMT. He developed a deeper appreciation for the artform of classical music, and also enjoyed listening to sketch segments on WFMT’s innovative folk and roots variety program,The Midnight Special, featuring Elaine May and Mike Nichols. This enthusiasm for WFMT would lead him to join the WFMT board in 1977.

In 2001, WFMT unveiled the Fay and Daniel Levin Performance Studio made possible with support from the Levins. The state-of-the-art studio is the station’s flagship space for live performance and recordings, and has hosted hundreds of distinguished classical music artists including Rachel Barton Pine, Marc-André Hamelin, Lawrence Brownlee, Anne-Sophie Mutter, and many more.

This gift was a cornerstone of Levin’s lifetime of serving as a champion for the arts in Chicago. Reflecting on the importance of public media, he expressed, “you need something for the common good, and having an informed, civilized community.” When asked how he wished to be remembered, Levin humbly offered, “the simplest thing is basically being a good person… respecting people and enjoying doing it.”

“Dan’s kindness, positivity, and generosity of spirit were felt by everyone who knew him,” said WFMT-WTTW President & CEO Sandra Cordova Micek. “His passion for classical music and deep devotion over many decades to WFMT will never be forgotten. A true gentleman in every way, we are grateful for his leadership and dedication to our work and to the arts community in Chicago.”

Levin received a bachelor’s degree and JD from the University of Chicago before pursuing a career in real estate development. He co-founded the Habitat Company and developed the East Bank Club as Founder and Chairman. In the late 1980s, Levin and Habitat were selected to oversee the renewal of low-income and public housing across the City of Chicago.

In addition to his active engagement with WFMT and WTTW, Levin held leadership roles on the Environmental Law and Policy Center board, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College board, and the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy Leadership Council.

Levin is survived by his wife, Fay Hartog-Levin, a former United States ambassador to the Netherlands, who served as a WTTW-WFMT trustee from 2013 to 2017. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to WFMT in Daniel Levin’s memory.


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